Favorite Comic Book Covers of the Week 3/13/13

Hello and welcome to the revised edition of Talking Comics: Favorite Comic Book Covers of the Week! It used to be that every week our Executive Editor Steve Seigh would showcase his favorite comic book covers of the week and then you could all go about your day. Well no more! From this point forward Steve won’t be the only one displaying the covers that caught his fancy. As of today, and for the foreseeable future, you’ll be viewing selections not only from Steve, but from other site staff and fans alike!

If you’d like to contribute to this column all you need to do is send Steve an email at SteveSeigh@TalkingComicBooks.com, telling him the title of the issue with the cover that you dig, as well as a brief description of why you’re grooving on that particular cover. We’ll try to include as many selections as possible and hope that you enjoy seeing your choices displayed for all of the internet to see.

So without further or due let’s get this week’s selections highlighted!

Steve Seigh’s Picks

Batman and Robin #18

Story by Peter J. TomasiArt by Patrick Gleason & Mick GrayColors by John KaliszLetters by Taylor EspositoCover by Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, & John Kalisz

“Not only is Batman and Robin #18 my favorite cover of the week but it could very well be my favorite comic of 2013 so far. Visually arresting and emotionally draining, this comic and cover burrow down to the core of my comic book heart and impale it with pain and sorrow. Comic book covers don’t always have to make you feel happy when you look at them. Sometimes they can cause you to be propelled back in time to when you might have lost someone of your own. In my personal opinion both this comic and cover are masterpieces in their own right.”

“The cover feels like classic Batman and evokes old school imagery of the classic Black-and-white series as well as some of Frank Miller’s work with the Caped Crusader. The bats flying alongside Batman across the night sky is a beautiful image and the coloring is brilliant.” – Travis McCollum

“There’s something about the colors of this particular cover that I truly enjoy. I love the reoccurring image of the robin (it appears again on the cover of Batman #18) perched atop Barbara’s shoulder. Rather than it serving as a grim reminder of recent events it speaks to me of Damian fighting crime on perhaps another plain of spirit and conciseness.”

“This “Requiem” cover is simple, symbolic and touching. Seeing Batgirl cry while a robin sits on her shoulder really strikes an emotional chord without having the image go overboard. It evokes feeling and it really works as a cohesive whole to bring the image together alongside Batman #18, which also includes the aforementioned robin.” – Travis McCollum

“Above any and all physical attributes of Damian Wayne I have forever associated him with him clunky green boots. Who knows the amount of thugs he’s stomped down while wearing these things? Or perhaps how many rooftops he’s jumped from or teeth he’s vanquished with these rugged beasts of footwear. While the image breeds a very specific form of sadness I can’t help but be in love with this image.”

“Seriously. How many amazing covers could one comic book series possibly have? Iridescent, beautiful, sparkling, and is that sacred geometry I see? Boy howdy, what a cover!”

* Our Stephanie Cooke was also quite taken with this amazingly cool cover. She’s got mighty fine tastes, she does.

Change #4

Story by Ales KotArt by Morgan JeskeColors by Sloane LeongLetters by Ed BrissonCover by Morgan Jeske

“Sometimes the simplest of images can entertain you the most. I’m not sure that you can appreciate this cover to its fullest extent while not holding the actual comic in your hands, but take my word for it that this cover paralyzes me with fear and excitement at the prospect of what I’d find inside of its pages. I haven’t had the chance to read all of Change just yet, but now I can and I can’t wait to dig in.”

Staff and Contributor Picks

Bobby Shortle’s Pick:

The Fearless Defenders #2

Story by Cullen BunnArt by Will SlineyColors by Veronica GandiniCover by Mark Brooks & Marcos Martin

” I’ve never seen a cover like Fearless Defenders #2. It’s witty, nostalgic, and awesome all at the same time!” – Bobby Shortle

“The Fearless Defenders! I love the Dani Moonstar action figure on the cover. Definitely sets up the book to be a fun issue.” – Mara Whiteside

Bob Reyer’s Picks:

Ghost #4

Written by Kelly Sue Deconnick

Art and Cover by Phi Noto

“I first encountered Phil Noto’s work on the abandoned (by both DC and me) “First Wave” project, and his covers (and interiors!) for this mini-series have been stellar; moody and atmospheric, and wonderfully expressive in capturing the despair and longing of Eliza Cameron, as well as her righteous outrage and anger. For this final issue, a great cover that’s both impressionistic as well as representative of the story itself, and it’s creepy as all get-out, to boot!” – Bob Reyer

” I’m crazy about all the art of Moon Girl, but I’ve waited so long to have this series collected and this cover is a gorgeous mix of the modern Moon Girl art and it’s influences from the original 1940’s series. And it’s cool!”– Melissa Megan

Travis McCollum’s Pick:

Wolverine #1

Cover art by Skottie Young

“I’ve always loved the Skottie Young variant covers, but this one made me audibly laugh, which hasn’t happened since Cable and the X-Force #1’s variant. Seeing Wolverine slicing up a snow Sentinel with Cyclops saying “I’m telling” is as adorable as it is awesome and the whole image really pops out at the reader. Definitely one of the best variant’s from him and it guaranteed me buying the issue.” – Travis McCollum

* This list was compiled while watching Fringe Season 3. The show has become pretty eye-rolling as of late. I miss the “Monster of the Week” episodes. This whole dual universe angle doesn’t disinterest me but it certainly detracted from my enjoyment of the show overall. Team Astrid FTW!

* Again, if you’d like to participate in this column send your cover selections (please, only one cover per week) to SteveSeigh@TalkingComicBooks.com. Be sure to have your selections in by midnight of the Monday that corresponds with that week’s releases. Also, please try to keep your selections to books that are being released that week ONLY. Thanks so much and we look forward to sharing your thoughts with all who stop by the Talking Comics website. Cheers! – Steve